Reports say junta leader Ibrahim Traoré had become distrustful of the police chief
OUAGADOUGOU, Oct 6 (NNN-AGENCIES) — Burkina Faso’s interim leader has replaced the head of the country’s paramilitary police, more than a week after the ruling junta said it had averted a coup attempt.
Ibrahim Traoré appointed Lt Col Kouagri Natama to replace Lt Col Evrard Somda, who had led the national gendarmerie since last year.
“Lieutenant-Colonel Major Natama Kouagri of the national armed forces has been appointed Chief of Staff of the national gendarmerie,” said the decree, signed by Captain Ibrahim Traoré.
Before his appointment, Lieutenant-Colonel Kouagri Natama, was the commander of the first police region.
Traoré also changed the officers charged with managing logistics and equipment within the Burkinabe army and the gendarmerie.
Last week, Burkina Faso’s junta arrested four police officers on suspicion that they participated in a “plot against state security”.
According to the French-language news publication Jeune Afrique, two of the detained police officers worked under the national gendarmerie and were Somda’s close associates.
His replacement previously led the police in the northern Kaya region, where Traore’s unit was stationed.
Traoré seized power in a coup d’état on Sept 30, 2022. — NNN-AGENCIES